Hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus includes a plurality of frames each including a main hole and at least one first engaging hole formed along an outer side of the main hole, at least one insulation gasket, disposed between the plurality of frames for maintaining a space between the plurality of frames and for providing a water tight seal and including at least one second engaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole and at least one electrode plate in electrical contact with at least one of the plurality of frames.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure is based on and claims benefit of Korean PatentNo. 10-2009-0008464 filed on Feb. 3, 2009 and entitled A Hydrogen-OxygenGenerating Apparatus.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatuswhich makes it possible to effectively generate a mixed gas of oxygenand hydrogen.

2. Description of the Background Art

The apparatus for generating a mixed gas of oxygen and hydrogen isbasically directed to generating hydrogen and oxygen as water iselectrolyzed. Water with a small amount of electrolytes is inputted intoan electrolytic cell with positive and negative electrode plates, and aDC voltage is applied for thereby generating a mixed gas of hydrogen andoxygen which are non-pollution energy sources. At this time, thehydrogen and oxygen are generated at a molecular ratio of 2:1. Hydrogenis generated from the surface of the negative electrode plate in bubbleform, and oxygen is generated from the surface of the positive electrodeplate in bubble form. The thusly generated mixed gas of hydrogen andoxygen are combustible. Since the hydrogen and oxygen mixed gas does notproduce any pollutants, it is considered an environmentally friendlyenergy source.

However, since the amount of hydrogen and oxygen produced is too smallas compared to the electric energy applied to the positive and negativeelectrode plates, it is needed to mix a sub-fuel such as a propane gasinto the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen and to burn the same, as aresult of which economic productivity is low.

SUMMARY

A hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus includes a plurality of frameseach including a main hole formed in a center portion and at least onefirst engaging hole formed along an outer side of the main hole. Atleast one insulation gasket is disposed between the plurality of framesfor maintaining a space between the plurality of frames and forproviding a water tight seal and includes at least one second engaginghole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole. At least oneelectrode plate is in electrical contact with at least one of theplurality of frames, the at least one electrode plate being arrangedwithin an inner side of the at least one insulation gasket and inelectrical contact with edges of the main hole of the at least one ofthe plurality of frames, the at least one electrode plate including atleast one electrode hole in an inner side. At least one spacing ring isdisposed between the at least one electrode plate and at least one ofthe plurality of frames disposed opposite the electrode plate and formsa space and electrically isolates the electrode plate from the at leastone of the plurality of frames disposed opposite the electrode plate. Afront cover is installed in front of at least one of the plurality offrames and includes at least one inlet hole, at least one exhaust holefor exhausting a mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and at least onethird engaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaginghole and the at least one second engaging hole. A rear cover isinstalled behind at least one of the plurality of frames and includes atleast one drain hole for draining water, at least one exhaust hole forexhausting the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and at least one fourthengaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole andthe at least one second engaging hole. At least one engaging part passesthrough the at least one first, second, third and fourth engaging holesfor interconnecting the front and rear covers and the plurality offrames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become better understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustrationand thus are not limitative of the present disclosure, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed at providing a hydrogen-oxygengenerating apparatus.

In particular, the present disclosure is directed at providing ahydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus which can obtain a highproductivity by increasing the amount of mixed gas of oxygen andhydrogen generated compared to the amount of electric energy used.

In a hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the amount of mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygenincreases as compared to an electric energy inputted, and it is possibleto burn the mixed gas without adding a sub-fuel such as propane gas forthereby obtaining a high economic productivity.

Since the oxygen and hydrogen generated in bubble forms can be easilyseparated from the electrode plates, the effective surface area of theelectrode plates from which electrolysis occurs increases, therebyenhancing electrolyte efficiency.

In addition, heat can be efficiently emitted while electrolysis isperformed without using a separate heat radiating apparatus, so theentire construction can be minimized, and electrolysis can be constantlyperformed.

The edge of the frame positioned in the interior of the insulationgasket functions as a terminal for applying electric power to theelectrode plates and as a support for supporting the electrode plates,so that even when the electrode plates are made of weak materials, theelectrode plates can be stably and reliably supported.

A more detailed description of a hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatusaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure will now be describedby reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, an apparatus for generating a mixed gas of oxygenand hydrogen includes a plurality of frames 10 and 10′ which areassembled in a stacked fashion as shown. The frames include a main hole10 a formed in a center portion and a plurality of first engaging holes10 b formed along an outer side of the main hole 10 a. An insulationgasket 20 is disposed between adjacent frames 10 and 10′ and allows theadjacent frames to be maintained in a spaced apart fashion whileproviding a water tight seal. Insulation gasket 20 includes secondengaging holes 20 b corresponding to the first engaging holes 10 b.Electrode plates 30, are each in electrical contact with one of theframes 10 and 10′. The electrode plates 30 are arranged along an innerside of insulation gasket 20 and are in electrical contact with edges 10c of the main hole 10 a of the frame. Each electrode plate 30 includeselectrode holes 31 in an inner side as shown.

As shown in FIG. 3, a spacing ring 40 is disposed between the electrodeplate 30 and the adjacent facing frame 10 and along the inner edge ofinsulation gasket 20. Spacing ring 40 provides a space whichelectrically insulates and prevents contact between the electrode plate30 and the adjacent facing frame 10. A front cover 50 is installed infront of the frames 10 and 10′ and includes an inlet hole 51, an exhausthole 52 for exhausting the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and a thirdengaging hole 50 b corresponding to the first and second engaging holes10 b and 20 b. A rear cover 60 is installed behind the frames 10 and 10′and includes a drain hole 61 for draining water, an exhaust hole 62 forexhausting the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and fourth engagingholes 60 b corresponding to the first and second engaging holes 10 b and20 b. An engaging part 70 passes through the first, second, third andfourth engaging holes 10 b, 20 b, 50 b and 60 b for therebyinterconnecting the front and rear covers 50 and 60 and the frames 10and 10′, respectively.

The frames 10 and 10′ are made of a metallic material such as stainlessand alloy steel and each has a main hole 10 a in its center portion.

The frames can be configured in various shapes such as a rectangularshape or circular shape. In the present disclosure, the rectangularshape is shown and described.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frames 10 and10′ function for applying electric power to the electrode plates 30 andform an electrolysis space sealed by the insulation gasket 20. Theplurality of frames 10 and 10′ are in direct contact with air, so thatthe frames can function as heat radiating plates for radiating the heatgenerated during the course of electrolysis away from the device.

The edges 10 c of main hole 10 a in the frames 10 and 10′ are positionedin the interior of the insulation gasket 20 and function as a terminalfor applying the power to the electrode plates 30 and also function as asupport for supporting the electrode plates 30. Even when the electrodeplates 30 are made of weak materials, the edges 10 c of the framespositioned at the inner side of the insulation gasket 20 support theentire edge portion of the electrode plates 30. Accordingly, theelectrode plates can be stably and reliably supported.

Insulation gaskets 20 space the adjacent frames 10, 10′ apart from eachother and insulate and provide water tight seals. The front insulationgasket 20′ spaces frame 10′ from front cover 50 and at the same timeinsulates and seals. The rear insulation gasket 20″ spaces rear cover 60from adjacent frame 10 and also insulates and seals. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the insulation gaskets 20, and thefront and rear insulation gaskets 20′ and 20″ are made of materialswhich do not lose their physical properties in the course ofelectrolysis and are configured in a circular shape. Some exemplarymaterials include, but are not limited to, Teflon, rubber, acetal, PP,PE, etc.

The electrode plates 30 are positioned in the inner side of theinsulation gaskets 20 and are close to the edges of the main hole 10 aof the frame 10. It. is preferred that the electrode plates 30 are madeof material(s) which can effectively generate electrolysis. For example,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrodeplates 30 are made of carbon nano tube alloy steel. The carbon nano tubealloy steel is made after carbon nano tube is made into powders, andnickel and tourmaline are made into powders, and the mixtures of thesame are compressed in the shapes of electrode plates and are molded. Asadditives, decarbonated potassium combined compound can be added, and aplastic process can be performed at about 1300° C.

The electrode plates 30 can be made of a metal such as stainless steeland can be nano-polished for efficient electrolysis and in order for thebubbles of hydrogen and oxygen to easily detach. The electrode plates 30can be made of stainless steel, alloy steel or some other appropriatetype of material.

The term nano polishing refers to a process in which the surfaces of theelectrode plates 30 can be polished smoothly down to the units of nano(e.g., nanometers). Since friction forces on the surfaces of theelectrode plates 30 can be minimized through the nano polishing process,the bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen can easily detach. In general, whenthe sizes of a substance changes from the bulk size to the nano size,the mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical propertieschange. So, it is possible to enhance the electrolysis of water bychanging the physical properties through the nano process with respectto the surfaces of the electrode plates 30.

A photo catalyst such as tourmaline can be attached on the surfaces ofthe electrode plates 30. The tourmaline photo catalyst can be groundpowder ranging from micro sizes to nano meter sizes that is molded at1300° C. The photo catalyst can be attached to the electrode plates 30using an adhesive or other bonding method. The tourmaline is a mineralbelonging to a hexagonal system with a crystal structure like crystaland generates power by friction and a lot of anion, while acceleratingelectrolysis and generating lots of hydrogen and oxygen. The tourmalineis ground powder and can be molded to manufacture a photo catalyst witha lot of micro pores by which the contact surface area with water can beincreased. The electrolysis of water can thus be promoted by attachingthe tourmaline photo catalyst on the electrode plates 30.

As shown in the magnified view of FIG. 3, spacing ring 40 is positionedalong the inner side of the insulation gasket 20 and abuts electrodeplate 30 preventing electrode plate 30 from contacting the next adjacentframe 10 facing the electrode plate 30. Spacing ring 40 thus forms aspace between electrode plate 30 and the next adjacent frame 10 facingthe electrode plate 30. According to this embodiment, the cross sectionof the spacing ring 40 is circular. However, the cross section ofspacing ring 40 could be another shape such as, for example,rectangular.

The front cover 50 remains spaced from the adjacent facing frame 10′ byfront insulation gasket 20′, and the rear cover 60 remains spaced fromthe adjacent facing frame by rear insulation gasket 20″.

The engaging parts 70 can be implemented in various forms. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the engaging part 70 includes aplurality of bars 71 with bolt ends 71 b at both ends. An insulationlayer 72 surrounds an outer surface of the bar 71. Sealing members 73are inserted onto the bolt ends 71 b which protrude from the thirdengaging holes 50 b of the front cover and the fourth engaging holes 60b of the rear cover. Nuts 74 engage the bolt ends 71 b protrudingthrough sealing members 73 (see FIG. 1).

With the present arrangement, the insulation layer 72 thus allows thebars 71 passing through the first, second, third and fourth engagingholes 10 b, 20 b, 50 b and 60 b to be electrically isolated from contactwith the frames 10 and 10′ and the front and rear covers 50 and 60.

The front cover 50 and the rear cover 60 are electrically insulated fromthe frames 10 and 10′ by the front and rear insulation gaskets 20′ and20″. The adjacent frames 10 and 10′ are also electrically insulated fromeach other by insulation gasket 20. With this arrangement, the frontcover 50 and the rear cover 60 can be used as electrode terminals, andeach frame can be used as an electrode terminal. When the front cover 50and the rear cover 60 are used as electrode terminals, a high voltage ofabout 300 to 700V and low current of 2˜10 A are applied. In addition,when the frames 10 and 10′ are used as electrode terminals, a lowvoltage of 1˜10V and high current of 100˜300 A are applied.

With the above structure, water flows into the inlet hole 51 and theelectrode holes 31. In this state, when power is applied to the frontand rear covers 50 and 60 and the frames 10 and 10′, positive andnegative electric charges gather on the surfaces of the electrode plates30, so that an electric field is generated between the electrode plates30. Since the electrolyte space in which electrolysis is performed is aspace where the electric field is generated, the dimension of theelectrolyte space is in proportion to the number of electrode plates 30.Accordingly, an apparatus for generating a mixed gas of hydrogen andoxygen according to the embodiments of the present disclosure which isequipped with a plurality of electrode plates 30, has a largeelectrolyte space, so the electrolysis is efficiently performed, and theamount of hydrogen and oxygen generated increases.

The oxygen and hydrogen bubbles are mixed and discharged to the outsidethrough the exhaust holes 52 and 62.

A lot of heat is generated in the electrolyte space between theelectrode plates in the course of electrolysis. Such heat could inhibitelectrolysis, and in rare cases, explosion might occur. However,according to the present disclosure, since the frames 10 and 10′function as heat radiating plates directly in contact with air, the heatgenerated in the electrolyte space is conducted to the frames 10 and 10′and is radiated to the outside through the air. Accordingly, it ispossible to radiate and dissipate the heat without use of a separateradiating device, as a result of which the construction is simplified,the manufacture cost decreases, and errors can be minimized.

As the present disclosure may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described examples are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of theclaims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

1. A hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus, comprising: a plurality offrames 10 and 10′ each of which include a main hole 10 a formed in acenter portion and a plurality of first engaging holes 10 b formed on anouter side of the main hole 10 a; an insulation gasket 20, which isdisposed between the frames 10 and 10′ and allows the frames to bespaced apart while providing a water tight seal and includes a pluralityof second engaging holes 20 b corresponding to the plurality of firstengaging holes 10 b; electrode plates 30, each of which is in electricalcontact with one of the frames 10 and 10′, the electrode plates beingarranged in an inner side of insulation gasket 20 and in electricalcontact with edges 10 c of the main hole 10 a of the frame, eachelectrode plate 30 including at least one electrode hole 31 in an innerside; a spacing ring 40 which is disposed between electrode plate 30 anda frame 10′ opposite the electrode plate 30 and forming a space andelectrically isolating the electrode plate 30 from the oppositeelectrode plate 30; a front cover 50 which is installed in front offrames 10 and 10′ and includes an inlet hole 51, an exhaust hole 52 forexhausting a mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and a plurality of thirdengaging holes 50 b corresponding to the first and second engaging holes10 b and 20 b; a rear cover 60 which is installed behind the frames 10and 10′ and includes a drain hole 61 for draining water, an exhaust hole62 for exhausting the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and a pluralityof fourth engaging holes 60 b corresponding to the first and secondengaging holes 10 a an 20 a; and an engaging part 70 which passesthrough the first, second, third and fourth engaging holes 10 b, 20 b,50 b and 60 b for thereby interconnecting the front and rear covers 50and 60 and the frames 10 and 10′, respectively.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising; a front insulation gasket 20′ disposedbetween a frame facing the front cover 50 and having a plurality ofsecond engaging holes 20 b corresponding to the first engaging holes 10b; and a rear insulation gasket 20″ which is disposed between the framefacing the rear cover 60 and has a plurality of second engaging holes 20b corresponding to the first engaging holes 10 b.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said engaging part 70 comprises: a bar 71 with boltends 71 b at its both ends; an insulation layer 72 which surrounds anouter surface of the bar 71; a sealing member 73 which is inserted ontothe bolt ends 71 b which protrude from the third engaging hole 50 b ofthe front cover and the fourth engaging hole 60 b of the rear cover; anda nut 74 which is engaged to the bolt end 71 b.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said electrode plates 30 are made of carbon nano tubealloy steel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein surfaces of theelectrode plates 30 are nano-polished so that the electrolysis canefficiently take place, and the bubbles of generated oxygen and hydrogencan easily detach.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein surfaces of theelectrode plates 30 have photo catalyst material attached.
 7. Ahydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus, comprising: a plurality of frameseach including a main hole formed in a center portion and at least onefirst engaging hole formed along an outer side of the main hole; atleast one insulation gasket, disposed between the plurality of framesfor maintaining a space between the plurality of frames and forproviding a water tight seal and including at least one second engaginghole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole; at least oneelectrode plate in electrical contact with at least one of the pluralityof frames, the at least one electrode plate being arranged within aninner side of the at least one insulation gasket and in electricalcontact with edges of the main hole of the at least one of the pluralityof frames, the at least one electrode plate including at least oneelectrode hole in an inner side; at least one spacing ring disposedbetween the at least one electrode plate and at least one of theplurality of frames disposed opposite the electrode plate and forming aspace and electrically isolating the electrode plate from the at leastone of the plurality of frames disposed opposite the electrode plate; afront cover installed in front of at least one of the plurality offrames and including at least one inlet hole, at least one exhaust holefor exhausting a mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and at least onethird engaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaginghole and the at least one second engaging hole; a rear cover installedbehind at least one of the plurality of frames and including at leastone drain hole for draining water, at least one exhaust hole forexhausting the mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen, and at least one fourthengaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole andthe at least one second engaging hole; and at least one engaging partpassing through the at least one first, second, third and fourthengaging holes for interconnecting the front and rear covers and theplurality of frames.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising; afront insulation gasket disposed between a frame facing the front coverand having at least one second engaging hole corresponding to the atleast one first engaging hole; and a rear insulation gasket disposedbetween a frame facing the rear cover and having at least one secondengaging hole corresponding to the at least one first engaging hole. 9.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said engaging part comprises: a barwith bolt ends at its both ends; an insulation layer which surrounds anouter surface of the bar; a sealing member which is inserted onto thebolt ends which protrude from the third engaging hole of the front coverand the fourth engaging hole of the rear cover; and a nut which isengaged to the bolt end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein saidelectrode plates are made of carbon nano tube alloy steel.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein surfaces of the electrode plates arenano-polished so that the electrolysis can efficiently take place, andthe bubbles of generated oxygen and hydrogen can easily detach.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein surfaces of the electrode plates havephoto catalyst material attached.